To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

DM TROJM
Student newspaper of the University of Southern California
THURSDAY
--------♦—-------
March 28, 2002
Of interest. ..
USC's Erik Vendt, one of the best swimmers in the nation, got his start at an early age /16
News Digest 2 Calendar 2
Opinions 4 Lifestyle 7
Third Degree 7 Classifieds 12
Crossword 13 Sports 16
vol. CVL, no. 47 www.dailytrojan.com
Bovard and Trustee Awards for top senior GPAs go to six science majors
Academics: Winners, includingfve pre-medical students, offer different opinions on their programs’ competitiveness
By VERONICA T0RREJ0N
Contributing Writer
Five of six seniors honored for having the highest cumulative grade point average this year are pre-medical students, and all of the award-winners are science majors.
The six winners of the Bovard and Trustee Awards, which were awarded to the male and female with the top GPA March 19, have 4.0 GPAs.
Many award winners are also in the Baccalaureate MD program, which guarantees students acceptance into the USC Keck School of Medical upon successful completion of the program.
“Pre-med people are hardworking and seem to care more about GPA because of med school,” said award winner Stanley Chou, a psychology and biomedical engineering major.
Though not necessarily a trend, it is not uncommon for medical students to have extremely high GPAs, said Lili Fobert, director of admissions for the UCLA School of Medicine.
“Students are aware that for acceptance into medical school, they have to have a high GPA,” Fobert said.
I see Awards, page 1.3 I
“Pre-med people are hardworking and seem to care-more about GPA because of med school."
STANLEY
CHOU
senior
psychology,
biomedical
engineering
Freedom vs. Security
Airports test new security technology that scans passengers with X-rays. But is the “virtual strip search" an invasion of privacy / 4
USC apparel makers under fire
Labor: Worker Rights Consortium reports could cause school to terminate licensing contracts if factories fail to improve
By SHAHIEN NASIRIP0UR
Contributing Writer
USC may end its contracts with three apparel vendors in response to reports alleging sweatshop-like conditions in two factories that produce university products.
The reports, issued by the Worker
Rights Consortium, allege numerous health, safety and labor violations in factories used by the New Era Cap Company, the official provider of hats for USC’s baseball team; American Needle, a hat producer; and Top of the World, which produces hats and jerseys. New Era’s Derby, N.Y., factory and the PT Dada factory in Indonesia,
which American Needle and Top of the World use, have received the violations.
“If New Era fails to uphold the integrity of the USC name, we will pull their product off the shelC said Philip Chiaramonte, director of Auxiliary Services. “If they do not remedy their current situation, their contract will not be renewed by USC.”
But Liz Kennedy, director of Trademarks and Licensing, said USC will not immediately end its contract with New Era.
“We can not take the WRC’s report as an absolute indicator of the New Era situation," Kennedy said. “We will not cut and run from these companies (that engage in labor violations).” Although the university is waiting for more reports on the New Era factory, its products should be pulled from the Pertusati University bookstore immediately, said Chrysta Wilson, a student senator and senior majoring in public policy and man-I see Violations, page 13 I
Academics, training may lower auto
insurance
Hear the beat
Paul Hartsock I Daily Trojan
Culture dance. Members of the USC Bhangra Team perform a three-male, three-female dance at Hahn Plaza Wednesday.
Professors share success stories, advice
By KRISTEN BABIRACKI
Contributing Writer
It is possible for students to receive low rates on auto insurance — they must simply shop around to find the best rates, auto insurance employees said.
Insurance rates are determined by a number of factors, including driving record, gender and ZIP code, said Ruth Howald, senior actuary and product manager of Farmers Insurance Group.
The best thing that students may do to keep low insurance rates is to maintain the good-driver discount, said Scott Edlen, deputy insurance commissioner of the California Department of Insurance Communication.
Those who have one point or fewer on their record within a three-year period qualify for the ’ discount, Howald said. A point may be placed on a person's record if the person receives a ticket or is at fault for an accident.
Other discounts are jvailable, and students should ask about discounts they may be eligible for, Edlen said.
Good-student discounts are available for students who have been driving for less than nine years and have at least a B average, are on the dean's list or are in the top 20
I see Insurance, page 3 I
Event: Four African-American faculty members offer words of advice to blacks struggling to succeed in today’s society
By REMA CHRISTY
Contributing Writer
African-American professors came together Wednesday night to speak about the challenges, frustrations and comical incidences of growing up and working in a world of white majority, but their advice was applicable to all races.
An audience of about 50 students and faculty members attended a panel of four USC black intellectuals who offered statements of support and inspirational advice at “SC's Finest Prominent African-American Men Among Us.”
“In spite of the added adversities involved, there is a bone-deep satisfaction that comes from looking at the world differently," said Jody Armour, professor of law at USC.
Being both black and American, a sort of binocular insight and depth perception can be developed when looking at the world, Armour said.
Not only can you see further into the future, sometimes you can even see around corners, Armour added.
Even if black students have reached institutions of
I see Event, page 3 I
Standing proud. James T. Minor moderates an event designed to honor, recognize and publicly thank four black men who excel in scholarship, and leadership at “SC’s Finest” Wednesday.
Crystal Lauderdale I Daily Trojan

DM TROJM
Student newspaper of the University of Southern California
THURSDAY
--------♦—-------
March 28, 2002
Of interest. ..
USC's Erik Vendt, one of the best swimmers in the nation, got his start at an early age /16
News Digest 2 Calendar 2
Opinions 4 Lifestyle 7
Third Degree 7 Classifieds 12
Crossword 13 Sports 16
vol. CVL, no. 47 www.dailytrojan.com
Bovard and Trustee Awards for top senior GPAs go to six science majors
Academics: Winners, includingfve pre-medical students, offer different opinions on their programs’ competitiveness
By VERONICA T0RREJ0N
Contributing Writer
Five of six seniors honored for having the highest cumulative grade point average this year are pre-medical students, and all of the award-winners are science majors.
The six winners of the Bovard and Trustee Awards, which were awarded to the male and female with the top GPA March 19, have 4.0 GPAs.
Many award winners are also in the Baccalaureate MD program, which guarantees students acceptance into the USC Keck School of Medical upon successful completion of the program.
“Pre-med people are hardworking and seem to care more about GPA because of med school,” said award winner Stanley Chou, a psychology and biomedical engineering major.
Though not necessarily a trend, it is not uncommon for medical students to have extremely high GPAs, said Lili Fobert, director of admissions for the UCLA School of Medicine.
“Students are aware that for acceptance into medical school, they have to have a high GPA,” Fobert said.
I see Awards, page 1.3 I
“Pre-med people are hardworking and seem to care-more about GPA because of med school."
STANLEY
CHOU
senior
psychology,
biomedical
engineering
Freedom vs. Security
Airports test new security technology that scans passengers with X-rays. But is the “virtual strip search" an invasion of privacy / 4
USC apparel makers under fire
Labor: Worker Rights Consortium reports could cause school to terminate licensing contracts if factories fail to improve
By SHAHIEN NASIRIP0UR
Contributing Writer
USC may end its contracts with three apparel vendors in response to reports alleging sweatshop-like conditions in two factories that produce university products.
The reports, issued by the Worker
Rights Consortium, allege numerous health, safety and labor violations in factories used by the New Era Cap Company, the official provider of hats for USC’s baseball team; American Needle, a hat producer; and Top of the World, which produces hats and jerseys. New Era’s Derby, N.Y., factory and the PT Dada factory in Indonesia,
which American Needle and Top of the World use, have received the violations.
“If New Era fails to uphold the integrity of the USC name, we will pull their product off the shelC said Philip Chiaramonte, director of Auxiliary Services. “If they do not remedy their current situation, their contract will not be renewed by USC.”
But Liz Kennedy, director of Trademarks and Licensing, said USC will not immediately end its contract with New Era.
“We can not take the WRC’s report as an absolute indicator of the New Era situation," Kennedy said. “We will not cut and run from these companies (that engage in labor violations).” Although the university is waiting for more reports on the New Era factory, its products should be pulled from the Pertusati University bookstore immediately, said Chrysta Wilson, a student senator and senior majoring in public policy and man-I see Violations, page 13 I
Academics, training may lower auto
insurance
Hear the beat
Paul Hartsock I Daily Trojan
Culture dance. Members of the USC Bhangra Team perform a three-male, three-female dance at Hahn Plaza Wednesday.
Professors share success stories, advice
By KRISTEN BABIRACKI
Contributing Writer
It is possible for students to receive low rates on auto insurance — they must simply shop around to find the best rates, auto insurance employees said.
Insurance rates are determined by a number of factors, including driving record, gender and ZIP code, said Ruth Howald, senior actuary and product manager of Farmers Insurance Group.
The best thing that students may do to keep low insurance rates is to maintain the good-driver discount, said Scott Edlen, deputy insurance commissioner of the California Department of Insurance Communication.
Those who have one point or fewer on their record within a three-year period qualify for the ’ discount, Howald said. A point may be placed on a person's record if the person receives a ticket or is at fault for an accident.
Other discounts are jvailable, and students should ask about discounts they may be eligible for, Edlen said.
Good-student discounts are available for students who have been driving for less than nine years and have at least a B average, are on the dean's list or are in the top 20
I see Insurance, page 3 I
Event: Four African-American faculty members offer words of advice to blacks struggling to succeed in today’s society
By REMA CHRISTY
Contributing Writer
African-American professors came together Wednesday night to speak about the challenges, frustrations and comical incidences of growing up and working in a world of white majority, but their advice was applicable to all races.
An audience of about 50 students and faculty members attended a panel of four USC black intellectuals who offered statements of support and inspirational advice at “SC's Finest Prominent African-American Men Among Us.”
“In spite of the added adversities involved, there is a bone-deep satisfaction that comes from looking at the world differently," said Jody Armour, professor of law at USC.
Being both black and American, a sort of binocular insight and depth perception can be developed when looking at the world, Armour said.
Not only can you see further into the future, sometimes you can even see around corners, Armour added.
Even if black students have reached institutions of
I see Event, page 3 I
Standing proud. James T. Minor moderates an event designed to honor, recognize and publicly thank four black men who excel in scholarship, and leadership at “SC’s Finest” Wednesday.
Crystal Lauderdale I Daily Trojan